By Gordon Thomson
March 13 2004

Airdrie United travel to Kirkcaldy on league business hoping to change their fortunes on the road. So far Airdrie have lost both league games, at Hamilton and Dumbarton, only scoring once in the process.

Sandy Stewart has noted that Marvyn Wilson is his only injury concern for the clash. Raith will include Calderon, Prest and Smith in their lineup.

Starks Park is a favourite jaunt for many Airdrie fans. The promotion game in 1991 when Evan Balfour's first minute header secured promotion, from current Diamond Jimmy Boyle's cross, and Paul Harvey's majestic performance in the 1995 Scottish Cup quarter final romp will forever stick in the mind of most Airdrie fans.

So what will Sandy do to improve our away form? He could bring in a few of the younger and fitter players. If Marvyn isn't fit to start we could see young Darren Miller elevated to the starting line up. Paul Harvey would be another consideration. He may go for both Neil McGowan and Liam McVey in the lineup to add a bit of pace to the backline. Many fans have expressed that they'd like to see Alan Gow start a game following his sensational sub appearance in the last two games.

I'd like to see us go with three up front, at least in the away games, and this would be a good one to start with. I'm no fan of 532 formations. Craig Brown seems to have started and influenced the worst trend in our game. Where did this awful formation and the associated tactics come from anyway? Most German and Italian teams who play with three at the back always have a player in what we Brits would call 'the hole'. The Scottish version, which has been an unmitigated success (sic), doesn't seem to support that particular role. Anyway back to the point, I think this could be our team Saturday;

McGeown

Brannigan Stewart McGowan

Armstrong Wilson Docherty McVey

Harvey

McGuire Gow

This will be as good a fixture as we get in this league, and in my opinion, the two best teams. There will be a strong and hopefully vocal Airdrie support. AISA buses will be leaving as usual from the Albert Bar at 1pm.